DMME Still Reviewing CONSOL Permit Request
State Agency Has Requested Company Comment on Issues

by Cathy St. Clair
News Editor
   While cases are pending in Buchanan Circuit Court seeking injunctions against CONSOL Energy related to a water discharge permit the company is seeking to dump Buchanan No. 1 mine water into the Levisa River as well as to store it in the old VP3 works, no decision has yet been made on the permit request.
   The permit was sought by CONSOL from the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy  last year and an informal conference on it was held in Buchanan County in May. In the meantime, correspondence has continued to go back and forth between the company and the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy as the review process continues.
   The state agency has set a deadline of December 31, 2006 to make its decision.
   However, according to DMME Public Information Officer Mike Abbott, the December deadline is the last date by which the agency will make its decision. If concerns now being addressed are decided before that time, DMME could issue is approval, or disapproval of the permit request prior to that time.
   CONSOL previously submitted its application to discharge water pumped from its Buchanan No. 1 mine into the Levisa River, alleging it was necessary for the long-term continued operation of that mine. It has stated publicly that the discharge content will meet state water quality requirements.

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School Committee Named to Eye Evaluation Procedure
Fair Labor Standards Act Impacts Ability of Employees to Fill Dual Roles

by Cathy St. Clair
News Editor
    An eight-member committee to look at the procedure used to evaluate teacher performance at individual Buchanan County schools was appointed last month during a meeting of the Buchanan County School Board.
    The action followed a brief discussion on the evaluation procedure in which Virginia Education Association Cumberland Uniserve Director Ernie Roberts told board members the Buchanan Education Association had established its own committee to review the Buchanan procedure, as well as the evaluation procedures used in other parts of Virginia and in other states.
    Roberts said the BEA wanted to see the school board form a committee in order to allow both groups to work collaboratively and cooperatively on developing a new policy.
    "Our request is that you approve such a committee," Roberts said.
    School Board Chairman Steve Hamro III made the appointments, noting it would be good to get a procedure for evaluations on paper, step-by-step.
    Superintendent Tommy P. Justus said a Virginia Tech representative, Dr. Wayne Warren, was scheduled to come in September to do a full-day workshop with principals on evaluations.
    He noted the instrument currently being used has been used for about three years and Justus added, BEA representatives were welcome to attend the planned workshop.
    Hamro asked BEA President Edgar Childress, North Grundy School Board Member Don Newberry, Hurley Elementary-Middle School Principal Tim Prater; Director of Instruction Pat Fletcher and Supervisor Sherry Fletcher to be members of the committee along with three teachers to be chosen by Childress and the BEA.
    "I hope we can work out something for everyone," Hamro said.

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Neighborhood Watch Coordinator Briefs School Board on Program
Building Bonds Between Neighbors Is Benefit 

by Cathy St. Clair
News Editor
   "Nobody knows your neighbors like you do," Neighborhood Watch Coordinator Dorothy Hall told members of the Buchanan County School Board last month.
    Hall updated school board members on how neighborhood watch programs work and the importance of being alert to what is going on in one's own community.
    "Neighborhood Watch creates a sense of pride for community," Hall said. "In partnership with law enforcement, we build bonds with neighbors and educate the community with safety and prevention tips."
    Hall said Neighborhood Watch works to teach its members how to observe suspicious activity, how to report it and the importance of focusing on one's surroundings.
     "We are the eyes and ears for law enforcement," Hall said.
    She added that children need to be taught as well, with the message being a simple one -- "go, run, tell."
    Hall noted that Neighborhood Watch also teaches parents about the importance of teaching their children about the buddy system.
    One of the reasons Neighborhood Watch works, Hall said is that neighbors know each other's routines and as such are in a position to notice if something is occurring out of the ordinary.
    "We have to look after each other to try to take care of each other," Hall said. "The best weapon is a notepad and a pen or pencil. Jot it down. Don't rely on memory." Hall said when something is spotted, it should be called in to law enforcement. She cautioned those observing suspicious activity not to approach it, but to call it in.

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